PC card for cooling a portable computer

Abstract

A PCMCIA PC card powers a fan for cooling a portable computer. The card having a first end, a second end, and defines an air conduit between the ends. A fan attaches to the first end for blowing air towards the second end and into a portable computer. A PC card connector attaches to the second end for attaching the PC card to the PC slot of the computer and for powering the fan. The card includes a fin in the air conduit for directing air from the fan to past the PC card connector.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for cooling an electronic device having a PC slot, comprising: a card having a first end, and a second end with at least one air vent, the card defines an air conduit between the first end and the vent;   the second end being insertable into a PC slot for positioning the vent in the PC slot;   a fan attaching to the card for blowing air through the air conduit and the vent to circulate air though the PC slot and cool the electronic device; and   an electrical connector mounting on the second end and being coupled to the fan for powering the fan.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus for cooling an electronic device having a PC slot, comprising: a card having a first end, and a second end with at least one air vent, the card defines an air conduit between the first end and the vent;   the second end being insertable into a PC slot for positioning the vent in the PC slot;   a fan attaching to the card for blowing air through the air conduit and the vent to circulate air though the PC slot and cool the electronic device;   an electrical connector mounting on the second end and being coupled to the fan for powering the fan; a grill and an air filter, the grill and the air filter attach to the first end of the card to protect the fan and to filter air, respectively, the air filter is removable to facilitate cleaning of the air filter.   
     
     
       3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second end of the card includes vents and fins, the fins attach to the conduit to direct air through the vents, the vents direct air into the electronic device when the second end inserts into the PC slot. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first end includes an inlet, the vent of the second end is an outlet, and the fan blows air from the inlet and through the outlet. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fan removeably snaps to the first end of the card. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the card has a geometry conforming to PCMCIA Type III geometry specifications. 
     
     
       7. A portable computer, comprising: a base having a keyboard and a PC slot;   a viewing screen foldably attached to the base;   a card having a first end, and a second end with an electrical connector, the card defines an air conduit between the first end and the second end, the card being insertable into the PC slot;   a fan attached to the first end to force air into the base for cooling the portable computer;   a lead coupled between the fan and the electrical connector for providing power to the fan when the card attaches to the PC slot of the computer.   
     
     
       8. A portable computer as set forth in claim 7, wherein the second end of the card includes vents, the vents direct air into the base of the portable computer. 
     
     
       9. A portable computer as set forth in claim 7, wherein the portable computer includes vents for allowing air from the fan to exit the base. 
     
     
       10. A portable computer as set forth in claim 7, wherein the card includes a top face and an end face, the top face defines a pair of fins and vents, the fins direct air from the fan through the vents, the end face defines a vent, one fin is contoured to direct air from the fan over the electrical connector and out of the conduit through the end face vent. 
     
     
       11. A portable computer as set forth in claim 7, wherein the fan operates continuously when attached to the computer. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus for cooling a portable computer having a PC slot, comprising: a PC card having a first end, and a second end, the card defines an air conduit between the first end and the second end, and the second end forms at least one vent which communicates the air conduit;   a fan attached to the first end for blowing air through the air conduit and towards the vent;   an electrical connector attached to the second end for attaching the PC card to the PC slot of the computer;   a fin attached to the card, near the second end for directing blown air out from the vent; and   a lead coupled between the fan and the electrical connector for delivering power from the computer to the fan when the PC card attaches to the PC slot of the computer.   
     
     
       13. A cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the PC card includes a top face and an end face, the top face defines a pair of fins and vents, the fins direct air from the fan through the vents, the end face defines a vent, the vent is contoured to direct air from the fan, over the connector and out of the conduit through the end face vent.